The Wakatake Foundation is born
Wakatake continues to build bridges between cultures through grassroots football.
Known for its commitment to the personal and athletic development of young footballers, the organization now takes a step further with the creation of the Wakatake Foundation, a social initiative focused on offering international development opportunities to football academies and projects in underprivileged contexts.
The first project supported by this new foundation will be Future Stars Academy, an academy based in Arusha (Tanzania) that works tirelessly to empower children through sport, education, and life skills. Future Stars is the winner of the first edition of the Donosti Cup Munduan scholarships —an initiative of the Donosti Cup Foundation— which will fund their participation in the tournament.
For many players of Future Stars, this will be their first time traveling outside Tanzania. This experience goes far beyond the pitch: it represents a window to the world.
Joel Santos Boedo, CEO of Wakatake, personally discovered the work of Future Stars during a trip to Tanzania. He was the one who introduced the project to Donosti Cup and encouraged the academy to apply for the scholarships. Thanks to that encounter —and the outstanding work of the academy— Future Stars will now live an unforgettable experience in San Sebastián.
Future Stars Academy is much more than a football school. Based in Arusha, it provides comprehensive development to children and youth through football, education, and social values. Their mission is not just to shape better footballers, but to develop confident, responsible individuals committed to their communities. Boys and girls train and grow together in an environment that fosters teamwork, respect, and resilience.
The launch of the Wakatake Foundation marks a new chapter in the Wakatake Group journey. Beyond training and competition, this initiative reflects a deep commitment to football as a tool for education and social transformation. The Foundation was born with a clear mission: to break geographical, economic, and social barriers so that talent and ambition can always find a path to grow.
Its purpose is clear: to support projects that —due to lack of resources— would never have the chance to participate in international events, giving them access to life-changing experiences.
As Joel Santos Boedo explains:
“This initiative was born from the intersection of our mission —to be committed to improving ourselves, our communities, and the world at large— and our ambition to create the most impactful educational ecosystem in the world of grassroots football.
Everyone at Wakatake has been lucky to experience how life-changing an international journey can be. We want to use our privileged position to help other people and projects do the same. We also want to send a clear message to Wakatake’s youth: always ask yourself: how can I help others grow? how can I empower people around me? how can I make the world a better, brighter place? These are the ideas that inspired this initiative.”
This first step with Future Stars Academy is only the beginning. The message from Wakatake Group is loud and clear: football is more than just a sport —it is a tool to learn, grow, and build a better future. Through the Foundation, they want to use that power to create, build, connect, and support.
About Wakatake Group
Wakatake Group is an international organization dedicated to the personal and athletic development of young footballers. With headquarters in Spain and Japan, and projects in several countries, its mission is to offer unique experiences that promote learning, personal growth, and international competition through educational programs connected to grassroots football.
